Chrysler Valiant

[beerrun]

Hi, I'm new here. I am considering buying my first boat. It is sitting in my friends friends back yard and has been for a few years now. He only wants $100 for it with a trailer so i thought it would make a nice little project. Its an old red Chrysler Valiant. Its about 14' and seems to be in solid shape. I will probably need to buy a motor for it but I think its kinda cool. When i started looking on line for info about them i could not find anything. Does anybody have any information about these boats?I'm not sure of the age but i think its probably from between 1971-1977 just from the way it looks. Thats not even an educated guess.Any info will help. thanks.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

If you can find out what engine and drive it is and some serial numbers from them that would help.
The drive and engine numbers could narrow down what year it may be.

Welcome to Iboats!

 

[beerrun]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

thanks, i will try to get some pictures and numbers tomorrow. I'm not sure that the engine is the original.
what a cute dog.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

Thanks,Is your dog a boxer? I know,off subject..

Yes some pics would help.There is a bunch of very smart guys on here that could probably tell you some info on that boat. Also some trouble shooting to maybe get it running...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

look on the upper right of the stern from the back, should be a hull number stamped in the glass. if it doesn't have them it is pre 1972. if it's as good as the Plymouth Valiant auto engine. they were fantasic, 170, and 225 cu in slant 6 cylinder.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

I use to have a 72 Valiant,318 engine.good car until a guy hit me head on....Ok..off subject again...8)

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

off subject had a 68 170 slant 6, 3 on the column. got me thru military, college, the my brother, and sister. died at 450,000 miles.

 

[beerrun]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

Off subject stuff first.. no, he's a pittbull but in that picture he does look boxer-ish. I always loved the cars but never had one. I never knew there was such a thing as a boat called a Valiant.
I went and got some pictures and some numbers today. On the boat itself I found a serial number 6403311971. I'm thinking that those last 4 numbers means it is a 1971. maybe? I also found a model #6320/6400.
On the motor i found a serial#25528-08395.If you cannot tell through the moss, its an Evinrude.
As you can see in the pics its pretty rough. I dont know if that motor can be brought back to life or not. Something has been living in there for quite a while looks like. Apparently it has only seen nothing but rainwater for about 10-11 years. it was last registered in 1996.
Heres a bunch of pics, I fighured if anybody could tell me if its worth the time, you guys on here could.
My husband is a little skeptical, but i really like the boat.

 

[beerrun]

more pics

more pics

more pics

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

Chrysler Valient was a boat made by Chrysler Corp. before they needed to divest their holdings under the leadership of Lee Iococca. The hulls were originally made by Lone Star boats and Chrysler bought out them and West Bend engines.

Buy it ! for 100 bucks, you can't go wrong. And if you are into nostalgis, that's it.

Go over to Chrysler Crew and join then go to the help column and ask all your questions. Also from the help column, you can access photos of various Chrysler boats. You can see the history of the hull manufacturing plant and the designers there also.There's a group of Chrysler afficionados there. They yearly have a get-together called Chrysler Nationals.
Those old Ole Evinrudes tend to run forever, you might be in for a pleasant surprise. However, be a purist and get a nice Chrysler 45 for it. Frank

 

[beerrun]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

Thank you! i found a picture there of what the boat is supposed to look like. I joined the Chrysler crew too. We are going to try and pull the boat out of there tomorrow. I am psyched.
I have sooo many questions. How do i get the color back to looking nice? What do i do about spider web cracks in the finish? I dont think there are any but just in case, how do i fix holes? I guess its silly to ask all this till i get the leaves out of it and see what im really working with.
Everyone here seems to know so much about all of this, If my questions become too many or too basic just let me know. Thanks again.

 

[mike176]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

I would be willing to bet everything is rotted on that boat, floor, stringer, and transom. I would pass on it unless your ready to do a full rebuild on the boat. Thats a big job when i did my last boat about half way through it i was ready to get rid of the thing and take it to the dump but i finished it then swore i would never do that kinda job again. be ready for lots of weekends and some late nights if you do buy it.

 

[beerrun]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

Mike, I got your message a little too late. We brought it home tonight. The floor is rotten. All we needed to do in order to take the car seats out was push on them. We pretty much expected that though. We knew it had been sitting, uncovered for at least 10 years. As far as the rest, I really dont know alot about boats, I'm learning as I go. So far I still think its a cool boat for $100 and I expected to do alot of work. Seeing as it was abandoned, It will take me plenty of time to get it registered anyway.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

Well good luck with your new project. Keep us all posted with the progress. I'm sure you will be out here a lot with questions though.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

That's a neat looking boat. Lotta work though! People on this board have done amazing things with the same or less so you're in the right place for advice. i agree with Frank though. You need to get a Chrysler outboard for it! You could probably get some money parting out that Evinrude.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

i believe the number on the engine is 25526, couldn't find a 22538. makes it a 1956 Evinrude 25 hp. get the rats out. it's well worth the $100.00. between the motor and the trailer you didn't get hurt. i'd love to tackle that project. restored that boat would probably take up and old 75 hp.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

please start a new thread and resize your pictures. this is extremely hard to read, and follow being so wide.

 

[Steel454]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

please start a new thread and resize your pictures. this is extremely hard to read, and follow being so wide.

I hope i'm doing this right. I stumbled across your boat pic, read your story and signed up inorder to comment. I just made a trade with a coworker for his dad's old Chrysler Valiant. The boat was in decent shape except for the seats and color. The boat came with all the original manuels for the 55hp outboard. I'll try top post some pics, its also my first boat.

 

[Don S]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

You should start a new thread of your own Steel, no reason to add your pictures to this thread.
Then if you have questions, it won't get lost in someone elses 2007 thread.

And welcome to iboats.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Chrysler Valiant

Make sure you get the paper work straightened out before you jump in and put any money in it or its a yard planter.